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When working on design projects, it’s important to manage how images, trademarks, and logos are sourced and used. Designers need to be aware of copyright laws when selecting images, whether they’re using original artwork, stock photos, or licensed content, ensuring all permissions and rights are accounted for. Company logos and trademarks must be handled with care and respecting their legal protections to preserve the brand’s identity. This will examine how designers balance legal requirements with creativity, ensuring that both visuals and brand assets are used correctly while still delivering design solutions.
According to called Ethics of Design: A study into the ethics of Graphic Design, its summaries considerations that graphic designers face, pointing out that ethics in design are shaped by career motivations. It stresses that ethics in design aren’t always clear-cut, especially when compared to issues like legality or sustainability. Using real-world examples, such as the deceptive marketing of Sunny Delight, the use of the Quaker identity by Quaker Oats, and Carex’s exploitation of health fears, the article shows how design choices can manipulate consumers. Also, it calls for designers to be more mindful of their ethical responsibilities in their work.
The design work they’re doing involves sourcing images and handling the company’s trademarks and logos, as design choices like images, logos, and trademarks can raise concerns. Designers must be cautious about how they use these elements to avoid misleading their audience. For example, the Sunny Delight campaign portrayed the product as healthy, and Quaker Oats has religious imagery. When sourcing images or working with logos, designers must consider the consequences of their choices. Such as copyright. Designers have a responsibility to use images and trademarks with care, making sure that their work is responsible.
Citations & References
Ethics of Design. (n.d.). Summary. Ethics of Design. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://ethicsofdesign.wordpress.com/summary/